Mechanical Systems
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Interactive Notebooks
We will be creating interactive notebooks (INBs) throughout Science 8 this year. If you miss a class it is important to assemble any missed templates so that you can catch up on notes before your next class starts.
Blank templates that I have created for our INBs can be found listed at the top of this page. Others have been given credit and linked to TPT stores on the appropriate page below. Students can get extra copies from me in class, other teachers are asked to purchase from the appropriate seller.
Pictures below can guide you in organizing your INB if you miss classes but keep in mind work that is to be completed by you, as an 'output' will not be shown. You can always talk with me or with your fellow students about what might be included for those.
Introduction to Work
Learn the scientific definition of Work.
Learn how to calculate Mechanical Advantage.
Levers and Mechanical Advantage Lab:
Students measure effort force required to lift a load using class 1, 2 and 3 levers.
Output for this lab is the Lever Lab Analysis Questions.
Levers and Work:
Learn to calculate work done by the effort on the machine and work done by the machine on the load.
Output for this page is the Levers Practice Questions.
Inclined Planes and Work:
Learn how an inclined plane is used to assist in moving objects.
Calculate work done by the effort as well as on the load "by" the ramp.
Calculate mechanical advantage of the ramp using 2 different methods.
Output for this page is the Inclined Plane practice questions.
Wheel and Axle:
Learn how to calculation mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle system.
Distinguish between situations where there is a Force Advantage and where there is a Speed Advantage.
Gears:
Learn how gear trains work to provide either a speed or force advantage.
Calculate Speed ratio of different gear trains.
Output for this page is the Wheel and Axle and Gear practice calculations.
Energy and Efficiency:
Learn how energy stores change within mechanical systems
Understand how efficiency relates to energy input vs output in a system
Calculate efficiency of a system
Describe how forces such as friction can affect how energy stores change in a system
Output for this page is the Sport Equipment Efficiency Lab
students design a lab procedure to test the efficiency of a basketball, a volleyball and a dodge ball.
students carry out the procedure and calculate the efficiency of each ball's ability to rebound from the floor.
students analyze their results.
Pressure and Pascal's Law:
Balloon Pop investigation - students attempt to pop balloons with different objects and discuss which objects allowed this to happen more easily.
learn the scientific definition of pressure and how to calculate.
learn what Pascal's Law is and how it is applied in every day life.
Output for this page is the Pressure practice questions.
Hydraulics and Pneumatics:
Learn how Pascal's Law can be applied to do work and move objects in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Output for this page is the Hydraulic practice questions.